Lady Tigers beat Billikens twice
Doubleheader means double victory for softball team.
Published Feb. 23, 2007
The MU softball team extended an overall series lead to 52-2 on Wednesday night.
It came when the team recorded 15-4 and 11-3 wins against the Saint Louis University Billikens.
With the wins, the team improved to 8-6.
"I think we're making baby steps," coach Ehren Earleywine said. "But we're definitely getting better each time out."
The first game began with a three-run home run by senior left fielder Micaela Minner in the first inning.
With the newfound confidence, Minner and the team never looked back.
"That showed me that I was just comfortable and relaxed," Minner said. "And when I'm comfortable and relaxed and swing at strikes, good things happen."
In the top of the second inning, the Billikens were able to generate two runs to close the gap.
But a 12-run fourth inning for the Tigers put the game away.
The team was able to score the 12 runs on just six hits.
"I've just inherited some kids that have pretty good discipline," Earleywine said.
The team had six walks and one hit-by-pitch in the inning.
The final score was 15-4, but SLU's final two runs came on the play that also generated the final out as sophomore shortstop Rachel Heet was out at second, trying to stretch a two-run single into a double.
Of the Tigers' 15 runs, only three were earned.
After the first game, Earleywine brought in sophomore outfielder Sara Simons to play right field. He said substitutions are the key to guarding against overconfidence.
"For me, it's always been a matter of if you feel confident that you're going to win that second game after a big blowout in the first game, I think it's important to get some fresh bodies in there, some kids who haven't played in the first game because there can be a little bit of a lag," he said.
The second game featured a complete game from junior pitcher Jen Bruck.
She gave up three runs on five hits and one walk. For Bruck, the game was a step in the right direction, but not where she wants to be.
"I wasn't too happy with my performance," she said. "But I'm getting there. I'm building back up."
Bruck said improving her endurance is her focus.
MU led off the game with a one-run first inning and a three-run second inning to take a 4-0 lead.
But a three-run Billiken third inning after a home run by freshman outfielder Nicki Jost cut the lead to one.
The Tigers responded with a six-run third inning to put Saint Louis away.
Minner said the team maintains a pretty even keel, and the home run didn't affect the team.
"(We) didn't even talk about it," she said. "Didn't even care. Acted like it didn't even happen."
But Earleywine said the play did affect his team.
"I think it just kind of woke us up," he said. "You kind of go through the motions thinking that you've got the sure thing, and next thing you know it's 4-3. I think that was just kind of a wake up call for us."
The team finished with an 11-3, five-inning win. Next up for the team is a game against UM-Kansas City on Friday night in Fayetteville, Ark. The team beat the Kangaroos 12-1 and 11-0 on Feb. 14.